I had never done this until today we had 3 whole hours with 0% chance of rain. That doesn't happen often in the summer here. I started a little earlier but I circle a high school on my normal route and there were way too many students rushing to school in their cars. It was dangerous! I stopped for an hour and felt my knees stiffening up while I was stopped. However, when I got back on the trike, they worked fine. I only had to ride 2 miles to get home. I put ice packs on them and they feel normal now. We'll see how they feel in the morning.
How does it affect you?
Comments
Then too am in my mid-50's although overweight. Got heavy care giving for both parents and thought the weight would of went away by now.
And for a stretch and un-beering...
And 4 days running at under 220#. This is a long sight lower than the 285#+ I was at 2 years ago. So the beer is definitely a reward, IMO.
Could be your knees just cooled down too much.
possibly the effect of too high a level of repetitive stress on the knees causing fluid to accumulate in the joint. pain and knee swelling can follow depending on amount of stress and duration.
one of nature's little warning signs. aspirin may be the better over-the-counter since it dilates the vessels and aids in fluid drainage. ice packs stop the swelling, capsaicin promotes drainage. laying back in the recliner with feet elevated promotes drainage.
so far, havent seen any discussion on the virtue of electric assist in reducing knee stress. same thing, almost no discussion of using a recumbent as a rehab device. older folks encountering knee pain turning the pedals [things dont work as good as younger days] could benefit greatly by using electric assist while the under-60 younguns might avoid the problem entirely using assist.
At night I can usually take the one closest to home: it's a berm that leans left some, as it graduates from 3% to 9% I can about hold it in 3rd or 2nd, but it's that last hump gets steeper before it lessens out. That part gets me most every time in daylight - yet at night I can usually take it.
Used to bug me about stopping. Anymore it's something one has to do. I stop before taking a long or semi-steep climbs or crossing the Snake River bridge, then plod along in 2nd or 3rd if I can. Tried spinning, pushing and pulling at same time, but that has worn me out faster than plodding along. Great exercise though!
Wished I knew someone adept enough to help me design a way to put Biopace gears on the front end of a Rover i8. Too many nay sayers. Need an LBS that's willing to try, has some skills, and doesn't wimp-out over the idea. I think Biopace would work, I used a set for 20+ years on a Rockhopper MTB.
We do have a few steep hills if you go out of your way to find them.
The knees are feeling good this morning. No pain just a little tightness. I do need to see the orthopedic doctor as I'm having pain in the inner lower part of my right knee. This is a new pain from what caused the knee replacements. I may have irritated a tendon. But, surprisingly, there is no pain while riding. Do you think the euphoria of riding blocks out all pain? I'll take it!
question - is it possible your seat has slipped and your legs have become extended too much? had that happen a time or two with new pain under the kneecap.
To set seat properly on any bike or trike, use your normal cycling shoes. Place the heel of your foot on the pedal at it's farthest extension, and your heel should just feather the pedal.
And sometime when I stop I'll eat a food bar of some kind and drink some water. Here in the heat it's very important to drink a lot of water. There are potty stops (with water fountains) along the trails that afford some shade.
I also like to stretch and walk around a bit to keep the circulation going in my feet. And, a break now and then, is just good for you. Often times I get to chat with someone.
Sounds like I do need to stop and have a snack. It will help balance my blood sugar and allow me to ride further on each trip.
This original thread was about stopping during a ride and I will address that...
squirrelpie0, I'm painfully aware (no pun intended) of what would happen if I flipped the Dumont into a cactus patch. As a kid I rode my bike into a Palo Verde tree. Mom was not amused by the huge patch of blood on my pants leg.
Yes, I'm still around. It's taken a lot of work to get shifted from AR back to AZ. I've had to adjust to the changes in the area after so many years. What was once a minor two lane street is now a five lane street with a 45 mph speed limit.
I'm about two miles from the house I grew up in and close to where I went to school. I'm close to my older brother and where my parents are interred. I'm even close to a small, old Dairy Queen (still run by the same family) where I got a free sundae if I had all As and Bs on my report card (in 2nd grade).
My biggest challenge was keeping DP (Deep Purple) from roasting in his storage shed. I had reflective white coating put on the roof, the inside insulated and finally my carport extended nine feet to cover the west side from the blistering afternoon sun.
Now I can move DP out, air the tires, stock the bags (extra water, food, etc) ride a mile and half on city streets and get onto the Loop Trail System. The trails here are exceptionally nice and wide with the exception of some potholes?! Yes, there are some places that form dips or creases in the pavement. Someone, maybe the county, has marked these places with bright yellow paint so you can straddle or go around them. Some areas are concrete and others are asphalt. The hot AZ eats pavement!
The trails here exist because of the flood control measures along the rivers and streambeds. My closest trail, the Rillito, runs along and above the riverbed (both sides). As you ride along, on one side is an open rail fence made of pipe. In places the drop off may be more than 30 feet down to the riverbed. On the other side is gravel with cacti, brush, or trees. Along some stretches running along the trail is a gravel path where I often see runners or dog walkers and maybe even a horse (watch your step when the chips are down).
Another nice feature is a system of trailheads where people park their cars, unload their bikes, enjoy a picnic table or a small park. Most of the trailheads include restroom facilities with fountains and even hot air dryers. The restroom stalls have 1/4 ton doors (seriously ;-) and stainless steel fixtures. These places are well maintained.
Also situated along the trail are parks with ball fields, basketball courts, dog parks and even one water park (various kinds of devices that spray water for kids). Every Sunday morning, year around, is a Farmer's Market on the trail and behind a local, small horse racing facility.
I have begun to stop more often to stretch, top of the water bottle, enjoy the flowers (monsoon season) and take a tinkle before riding on. I used to think about how many miles I could rack up when I rode, but I'm beginning to think about just enjoying the ride. I notice things, one example, a hummingbird hovering directly in my path early one morning. When I got a bit closer, and the sun was at a different angle, I could see the bird was hovering in a hovering cloud of gnats! She was enjoying a morning gnat buffet!
Theme of this thread, do I stop along the way when I ride? Yes, yes, yes. 'Nuff said.
Glad you are getting to spend time with your family. I tried that and it failed miserably. My son should be here next week and I'm trying to get my other son to join us for Christmas. That will be the first time we spend the holidays together since 2010. Family is everything!
Trails in the Atlanta area, Big Creek. Silver Comet, are well kept up. People working on them every day.
15 miles every other night is where we are out right now. Hoping to up to 20 by Halloween.
intersections. I start out slower now and
let the legs loosen up b4 picking up
the pace. Knees are happier.
At the risk of a topic diversion, last winter, my wife and I made two separate trips from Michigan to Georgia with the sole purpose of riding the Silver Comet Trail connecting to the Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama. AWESOME TRAIL! The first trip (a long Thanksgiving weekend) we stayed in Rockmart, the second trip (the week between Christmas and New Years) we stayed in Cedartown. In different segments we covered the trail from the trailhead at Tucker Blvd all the way to Aniston AL. We so enjoyed the time spent on that beautiful trail that we plan to return, just haven't decided when. I highly recommend to anyone who has the opportunity to visit Georgia, set aside time to ride the Silver Comet. It is a true gem of a trail.
PS - Our stops are most generally dictated by the need to pee. :-). We then re-hydrate and are then, again, on our way.
Tighten a few bolts, huh? Did you used to ride a Harley Davidson?